i have only done a few at most. and they were basic, however, one of my colleagues has an orchard and an over abundance of apples. he wants to try to make his own cider. both alcoholic and not alcoholic. does anyone have any recommendations on shredding the apples, pressing etc?

The only mass bottle explosions I've ever had were the from the one and only time I tried to make apple cider - whether you shred or press the apples, be careful and accurate with the sugar content - apples can vary greatly, as I found out...